The Ogun State Government has officially withdrawn the charges of alleged defilement against the proprietor of Perfect Life School, Igode-Remo, Mr. Ashafa Adelaja, citing lack of evidence after a thorough investigation.
In a statement released on Friday by the State Ministry of Justice, it was revealed that after careful scrutiny of the facts surrounding the case, the government informed the Chief Magistrate sitting in the Sagamu Magisterial District on Thursday that it would not proceed with the case against Adelaja. Consequently, he was released from custody the same day.
Mr. Adelaja had been accused of defiling a young pupil in his school, sparking public outrage and leading to his remand in a correctional facility from March 2025. However, the Ministry explained that detailed investigations carried out by the police and the Ministry’s legal team confirmed that the alleged incident did not occur.
According to the statement, the situation began in February 2025 when the pupil’s mother noticed bloody vaginal discharge at home and reported the matter to the school’s headmistress, who happens to be Adelaja’s wife. At the time, both parties agreed the incident could not have originated from the school.
On March 14, while assisting the child to the restroom, the headmistress again noticed fresh bleeding and immediately alerted the victim’s mother. Despite these developments, a later medical examination confirmed that the child had not been abused. The report noted the absence of bruises or trauma and confirmed that the hymen was intact, indicating no sexual assault had occurred.
The Ministry disclosed that the child’s bleeding was due to undisclosed medical conditions and not as a result of defilement. It also noted that circumstantial evidence ruled out Mr. Adelaja’s involvement, especially as he serves as the principal of the secondary school while the victim is a pupil in the nursery and primary section under the headmistress’s care.
The Ministry of Justice took the opportunity to caution the public against resorting to jungle justice or premature conclusions, stressing that criminal prosecutions must be guided by verified facts, not emotions or social media trials.
It expressed regret that while investigations were ongoing, a member of the public circulated a damaging video accusing Adelaja of defilement and criticizing the state government’s handling of the matter. The viral video reportedly led to the vandalisation of Perfect Life School and the unjust public humiliation of Mr. Adelaja.
“This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder that justice must be based on facts and due process, not public sentiment,” the statement read. “Our justice system is designed to ensure that both the guilty are punished and the innocent protected.”
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all citizens, warning against the dangers of misinformation and mob action.
